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A flurry of red hair filled with leaves and twigs emerged from its camouflage.
āIām coming, Iām comingā¦ā the young girl heaved as she darted over the small wooden gate. It must be so irritatingā¦ she often thought, That little fence wakes up everyday, and has to stare at the rich, thick trunks of its cousins; knowing that it will never become such.
āWhere have you been?ā an icy voice cut through her thoughts.
Nihm trotted towards the dark wooden door, her motherās chittering voice biting at her ankles. She had heard it all beforeā¦ Rolling her eyes, she gathered up her tangled mess of hair, swaddling it in a wrap of dingy cloth.
āYou promised, Nihm. Not today. You promised you wouldnāt be late!ā her mother scolded.
āI donāt see what is so important about today. It is a pick-up just like all the others, the only difference is I am required to keep my head lower and my voice dimmer!ā she exclaimed. She sighed dejectedly as she viewed her motherās pursed lips.
Silence claimed the air between them.
āGive this to Talice. Tell him I se-ā
āTell him you send your regards, and youāre grateful for his discretion.ā Nihm finished. Her mother pressed a wrinkly kiss against her forehead, helped her dawn her fatherās old hunting garb, and watched as she faded into the distance.
Talice wasnāt exactly a dangerous fellow, but his stature and growling voice was quite intimidating. Perhaps thatās why he was such a successful barman. she thought to herself. Before Nihmās father, Demicus, was prudishly taken by this ridiculous war between Carmaine and Siis; he would regularly stop by The Commandantās Arms, which this man owned, to buy a hefty supply of his liquor. Talice brewed the finest mead in all of Carmaine, or so the rumors spread. Demicus always liked the guests at his inn, The Spotted Doe, to be supplied with the best accommodations and that included Talice's mead. After he volunteered to fight for the existence of Carmaine, little could be done about his agreement with Talice, for women were not allowed into his pub. Passer-bys became less frequent, and The Spotted Doe began to decay. Talice, upon hearing the news, set up an arrangement. Nihm would come to The Commandantās Arms in her fatherās garb, speak of nothing and be seen by no one. This would allow the exchange of goods to take place, the reputation of the pub to remain pristine, and acted as a safety for Nihm as well.
Nihm didnāt care for the arrangement, which was made without her consent. Sheād much rather her father return from this blasphemous war and take care of his family like a rightful man should. Of course, Demicus was never coming home. He was dead. But no one seemed to be able to convince her of that.
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